Flush-tank apparatus



(No Model.)

S. W. LEWIS. FLUSH TANK APPARATUS.

No. 552,535. Patented Jan. '7, 1896.

Fiyi EM 3 lll/ll ANDREW E.GRAHAM.Pi1Um-IIMU. WASHINGTDN. DI).

`at one end and with or without a removable Aof Fig. 6, showing the air-valve'open.

NTTED STATES PATENT muon.

SAMUEL VALKER LEWIS, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

FLUSH-TANK APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,535, dated January 7, 1896.

Application filed January 15, 1895. SerialNo. 534,961. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL WALKER LEwIs, a citizen of the United States, residing` at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Oushioning Flush- Tank Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement on the apparatusdescribed in my Patent No. 4.9 6, 572, dated May 2, 1893, and relates principally to f'lushingtanks or cisterns for water-closets or similar receptacles, and has for its objects an air-cushioning device that will insure under all conditions the slow closing of the main fiushing-valve and the combination of said valve with the air-cushioning device; also the provision of an adjustable operatinglever and fulcrum attached to and supported by or from said valve structure independent of the tank, whereby said valve will carry its own lever, and said lever can be adjusted horizontally at any desired angle after said valve structure is permanently Xed within the tank and without moving said valve structure or disturbing its connection to or with the tank. I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis an enlarged longitudinal central section of one form of my air-cushioning device to work by air-compression and showing the air-valve closed. Fig. 2 is a detail modified section of same with the air-valve open. Fig. 3 is a detail section in elevation of a flush-tank. showing one application of my invention. Fig. 4: is a side elevation of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan of the lever-fulcrum shown in Figs. 3 and 4.. Fig. 6 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. l, but showing the air device modified to work by vacuum, the air-valve being closed. Fig. 7 is a detail Figs. S and 9 are modified views corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 10 is a plan of same on the line an no, and Fig. 1l is a view of another modication in elevation.

The same letters of reference indicate identical parts in all the figures.

The cylinder A in Figs. l and 6 is airtight guide-cap a at the other end. Said cylinder is provided with a piston having parts h and c with openings or ports f into a peripheral groove which is covered by the cup packing d, whereby on one stroke of the piston, by means of the groove e and ports f, the airpressure will cause the cup-packing d to tightly hug the cylinder A, as described in my said prior patent. A hollow piston-rod B is attached by its inner end to said piston and is provided with an air-valve 7o or 7o at or near its outer end. ln Fig. l said airvalve 7c is secured within a closed supporting part S s, which latter forms a chamber and is adapted to slide upon. the piston-rod B, its movement being limited by the collar or stop Z. The outer end of the piston-rod forms the seat for the valve 7o, a vent g being provided in the top s of supporting part or chamber S.

In Fig. 2 the valve 7o is secured within the open supporting part S and beneath the yoke m, the piston-rod having limited play through the part S. In this form the air-valve mechanism is exposed and the vent g can be applied to the piston-rod within the cylinder, as in Fig. l, or otherwise. It results from this construction that when the rod and piston are drawn outward the valve 7c leaves the end of y the rod, as in Fig. 2, and air can freely enter the closed end of the cylinder A through the pistoinrod, as indicated by the arrows, but on the in-stroke the valve 7c closes the outer endof the piston-rod and the confined air in thecylinder acting through ports fand groove e expands the cup-packing d against the inner surface of the cylinder, whereby the piston can move inwardly only as the confined air is allowed to escape through the vent g.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the air-valve lo is secured tothe piston-rod by the extension parti of said rod, and an annular raised valve-seat r is formed in the lower end ofthe supporting part or chamber S, the vent g being applied to any convenient part of said chamber or closed part S or to the rod B. In this construction it results that on the in-stroke of the piston the air-valve 7o' is released from its seat r, as in Fig. 7, the air being expelled from the cylinder through the rod B, part S, and finally out between the seat r and rod B, as shown by the arrows. On the outward stroke,

a vacuum is produced within the closed part of the cylinder, whereby the atmospheric pressure on the piston b c d e causes the valve 7c to tightly close upon its seat r, so that further movement of the piston is regulated by the admission of air through the vent g. Thus the relative construction in both examples is the same so far as it embraces a cylinder airtight at one end, a piston and rod for said cylinder, an air-valve at or near the outer end of said rod, and an air-vent in communication with the air-tight end of the cylinder.

One form of applying my air-cushioning device (shown in Figs. il. and 2) to a tank or cistern valve is illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4, Where C represents the cistern; D, the main iiushing-valve seat, which connects to the upper end of the flushing-pipe; E, the overiiow-pipe, and F the main flushing-valve. The cylinder A, with its open end above the water-line, is directly over the valve F and is supported by a bracket J secured to the overfioW-pipeE. The open or closed supporting part S or piston-rod B is connected to the tank-valve F by the yoke M, which straddles the cylinder A. The bracket J is provided with a horizontal annular Ilangej, which encircles the cylinder A.

K, Figs. 3, et, and 5, represents a fulcrumarm provided with an annular base adapted to rest upon and be secured tothe flange j, in this instance by the screws lw or in any suitable way, whereby the fulcrum can be swung or adjusted horizontally to any desired angle.

L is the usual lever pivoted upon the fuleruin K and secured by alink or any suitable means to the yoke M and piston-rod B.

V is a stanchion, which I sometimes employ to strengthen the bracket J.

Figs. S, 9, and l0 illustrate a combination of my aireushioning device shown in Figs. G and 7 with a hinged tank-valve. In this form the valve F with its stem Z and weight O is carried by the hinge-bar I?, which is secured to and swings on the hinge-butt t, the three parts F P O being held together by the Cotter-pin y in the upper end of the eentral valvestem Z. The bracket J, secured to the overflow-pipe E, extends upward and over the flushing-valve, and to its outer end at j is bolted or secured the fulcrum-arm K carrying the lever L, which latteris connected by the chain or rod m to the hinge-bar and valve at P2. The piston-rod B or supporting part S is secured to the bracket J, as shown or in any suitable way, and from the bottom of the air-cylinder A depends a shank or rod I, which connects the air device with the hinge-bar and valve at P. It will be observed that by the bolt at j the lever L can be swung to and iixed at any angle, as shown by com parison of its positions in Figs. S and 9. If desired the stanchions or supports V can be employed to strengthen the bracket J, and if preferred said stanchions can be screwed or bolted to said bracket, thus providing for a vertical adjustment but to simplify my drawing I have shown the supports V in the several views as of a piece integral with the bracket J.

In Fig. l1, which illustrates my earliest construction, the valve F and its central overflow-pipe E are vertically guided by the straddling guide-bracket N, and to one angle of said bracket the air-cylinder A and its connecting-rod I are secured in any convenient way. The lever L is carried by the usual rigidly-fixed tank bridge and fulcrum K. Said lever is linked to the valve E F and also connected to the air-cushioning device at S. Fig. 1l also shows by comparison the advantage of my adjustable fulcrum which enables me to make the complete apparatus with self-carrying fulcrum and lever, whereby the apparatus becomes a distinct article of manufacture conveniently adaptable to any tank and to ordinary conditions without the risk of having it operated by a lever of improper adjustment and proportions, which I have found the greatest difficulty to overcome.

In operation, depressing the outer end of the lever L (shown in Fig. elevates the piston, piston-rod, yoke M, and valve F, as shown in Fig. 4, the cylinder A being suspended by the bracket J. Then upon releasing the lever the weight of ilushing-if'alve F instantly closes the air-valve, as set forth in the description of Fig. l and 2, and the main flushing-valve F and its connected parts will slowly descend as the compressed air escapes at the vent g and gently cushion upon its valve-seat D without concussion. This slow closing of the valve insures a copious discharge and an ample after iill or refill to the receptacle. The operation of Figs. S and 9 is similar, except that pulling down the lever L elevates the valve F and cylinder A, the pisten-rod and its parts being suspended from the bracket J. Then upon releasing the lever the air-valve 7e will instantly close upon its seat r, as shown in Fig'. G, and the valve F with its several connected parts will slowly close and cushion upon its seat, as heretofore described.

It will be observed, as in my said prior patent, that the open end of the cylinder A is essentially above the water-line and that no part of my air device is submerged so as to meisten the paekings, but must essentially be protected from contact with the water. Finally the air-cushioning device could be discarded, when the apparatus would consist of a simple pull-valve carrying and supporting its own operating-lever, in which form it would still be a complete article of manufacture and use.

From the examples given it is evident that various modiiications within the elements and scope of my invention will accomplish like results.

Having described my invention, I clam IOO IIO

l. In a iiush tank apparatus, the combination with the flushing valve, of a lever suitably connected thereto, a rotarily adjustable fulcrum for said lever supported by and from said valve structure independently of the tank with its axis of rotation substantially in line with the inner end of said lever, whereby said lever can be adj usted horizontally without moving said valve structure or disturbing its connection with the tank or cistern, substantially as described.

2. In a flush tank apparatus, the combination with the flushing valve and a slow-closing or cushioning device therefor, of a lever in suitable communication with said valve, a rotarily adjustable fulcrum for said lever supported by and from said valve structure independently of the tank with its axis of rotation substantially in line with the inner end of said lever, whereby said lever can be adjusted horizontally without disturbing said valve structure or its connection with the tank and the closure of the valve will be governed by said cushioning device, substantially as described.

3. In a flush tank apparatus, the combination with the iiushing valve, of a slow closing or cushioning device therefor, a lever in communication with said valve and cushioning device, a rotarily adjustable fulcrum for said lever with its axis of rotation substantially in line with theinner endof said lever and a means of supportin g both fulcrum and cushioning device by and from the valve structure, independently of the tank, substantially as and for the purpose described.

1i. In a flush tank apparatus, the combination with the flushing valve and valve structure, of an air cushioning device protected from contact with water and in communication with said valve, a support extending from and carried by said valve structure for said air cushioning device, a lever in communication with said valve arotarily adjustable fulcrum for said lever also supported by said valve structure with its axis of rotation substantially in line with the end of said lever, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination with the cylinderA air tight at its lower end, of a piston therefor, a hollow piston rod attached to said piston, a supporting part having limited play on the outer end of the piston rod, a valve carried with said part for opening and closing the outer end of said piston rod and a vent for the closed end of the cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. The combination with a Hush tank valve, of an air cushioning device composed of the cylinder A air tight at its lower end apiston therefor a hollow piston rod attached to said piston a valve having limited vertical play to open and close the outer end of said piston rod a vent for the closed end of the cylinder and suitable communication between said valve and air cushioning device, whereby the closure of said valve will be gradual substantially as described.

7 The combination with a flush tank valve, of a slow-closing or cushioning device composed of a cylinder air tight at its lower or inner end, a piston therefor a hollow piston rod attached to said piston, a support for the outer or upper end of said piston rod having limited play on the said upper end thereof, a valve carried by and with said support for opening and closing the outside end of said hollow piston rod, a vent for the closed end of the cylinder and suitable communication between said valve and cushioning device, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. The combination of a cylinder closed at one end, a piston therefor a hollow piston rod attached to said piston, a supporting part or chamber on the outer end of said piston rod, a valve` within said supporting part having limited play for opening and closing the outer end of said piston rod and an adjustable vent communicating through said hollow piston rod with the closed end of the cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. The combination of the valve structure D overiiowE and valve F, bracket J extending from said overiiow, lever L in suitable communication with said valve, rotarily adjustable fulcrum K for said lever and supported by said bracket with its axis of rotation substantially in line with the inner end of said lever, substantially as and for the purpose described.

SAML. WALKER LEWIS. Witnesses:

HENRY P. Novas, HUGH SAML. Lnwrs.

IOO

It is hereby certified that in -Letters Patent No. 552,535, granted January 7, 1896, upon the application of Samuel Walker Lewis, of Brooklyn, New York, for an improvement in Flush-Tank Apparatus, an error appears in the printed speeieation requiring correction as `fo11ows,viz: On page l, in line J73, the reference letter m should be M; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the saine Inay conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Oee.

Signed, eountersigned, and sealed this 28th day of January, A. D. 1896.

J N O. M. REYNOLDS, Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

[SEAL] Countersigned JOHN S. SEYMOUR,

Commissioner of Patents. 

